February 11, 2009 4:24 PM
- Text
Mattel Recalls 9 Million Chinese-Made Toys
(CBS/AP)
Mattel has recalled 9 million Chinese-made toys, including Polly Pockets play sets and Batman action figures, because of dangers to children from lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed.
Even as the massive recall was announced Tuesday, company officials warned that it could grow as Mattel implemented more rigorous testing measures to ensure toy safety as the industry gears up for the holiday-buying season.
The government warned consumers to check at home and make sure their children were not playing with any of the recalled toys.
The recalled toys run the gamut, from dolls to toy trucks to action figures, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.
Nancy A. Nord, acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman, told reporters no injuries had been reported with any of the products involved in Tuesday's recalls. She explained that the scope of the recalls was intentionally broad, to "prevent any injuries from occurring."
Several injuries had been reported in an earlier Polly Pocket recall last November. In all, at least one U.S. child has died and 19 others have needed surgery since 2003 after swallowing magnets used in toys, the government said.
It's the second major recall in two weeks from Mattel, which pulled 1.5 million Fisher Price toys made in China after it discovered they, too, were coated in lead, adds Cordes.
In a conference call, Mattel chief executive Bob Eckert said the company is stepping up its oversight and testing in its production processes. As a result, he noted, more recalls may occur.
"There is no guarantee that we will not be here again and have more recalls," Eckert said, adding "we are testing at a very high level here."
Mattel, in a full-page ad Tuesday in some U.S. newspapers, said the company was "one of the most trusted names with parents" and was "working extremely hard to address your concerns and continue creating safe, entertaining toys for you and your children."
There's a lot on the minds of toy companies, according to industry analyst Chris Byrne.
"The reputation and the business of these toy companies rests on the ability to produce safe toys and have consumers trust that they're safe," Byrne told CBS Radio News. "So I think you're going to see a renewed effort on the part of all these people."
The recall was the latest blow to the toy industry, which has been part of a string of recalled products from China that includes pet food, tires and toothpaste. With about 80 percent of toys sold worldwide made in China, toy sellers are worried shoppers will shy away from their products.
From toxic toothpaste to tires that explode, it has been a summer of discontent over Chinese imports, with China's government slow to react, reports CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen in Beijing.
One problem is China's leaders are focused on keeping the economic miracle powering on, adds Petersen. Cracking down on factories that make exports means threatening sales and profits.
Even as the massive recall was announced Tuesday, company officials warned that it could grow as Mattel implemented more rigorous testing measures to ensure toy safety as the industry gears up for the holiday-buying season.
The government warned consumers to check at home and make sure their children were not playing with any of the recalled toys.
The recalled toys run the gamut, from dolls to toy trucks to action figures, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.
Nancy A. Nord, acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman, told reporters no injuries had been reported with any of the products involved in Tuesday's recalls. She explained that the scope of the recalls was intentionally broad, to "prevent any injuries from occurring."
Several injuries had been reported in an earlier Polly Pocket recall last November. In all, at least one U.S. child has died and 19 others have needed surgery since 2003 after swallowing magnets used in toys, the government said.
It's the second major recall in two weeks from Mattel, which pulled 1.5 million Fisher Price toys made in China after it discovered they, too, were coated in lead, adds Cordes.
The new recall includes about 9.3 million play sets that contain small, powerful magnets, including Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures, and 253,000 diecast cars that contain lead paint. Many of the magnetic toys are older and may have been purchased as early as 2003.
Product Recall List
In a conference call, Mattel chief executive Bob Eckert said the company is stepping up its oversight and testing in its production processes. As a result, he noted, more recalls may occur.
"There is no guarantee that we will not be here again and have more recalls," Eckert said, adding "we are testing at a very high level here."
Mattel, in a full-page ad Tuesday in some U.S. newspapers, said the company was "one of the most trusted names with parents" and was "working extremely hard to address your concerns and continue creating safe, entertaining toys for you and your children."
There's a lot on the minds of toy companies, according to industry analyst Chris Byrne.
"The reputation and the business of these toy companies rests on the ability to produce safe toys and have consumers trust that they're safe," Byrne told CBS Radio News. "So I think you're going to see a renewed effort on the part of all these people."
The recall was the latest blow to the toy industry, which has been part of a string of recalled products from China that includes pet food, tires and toothpaste. With about 80 percent of toys sold worldwide made in China, toy sellers are worried shoppers will shy away from their products.
From toxic toothpaste to tires that explode, it has been a summer of discontent over Chinese imports, with China's government slow to react, reports CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen in Beijing.
One problem is China's leaders are focused on keeping the economic miracle powering on, adds Petersen. Cracking down on factories that make exports means threatening sales and profits.
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